Blacks is the latest addition to Belfast's camping scene (yes one does exist) and with the infamous…read moreMourne Mountains so close, Blacks is entering into a market that has so far been pretty much owned by it's little brother, Millets. However, whereas Millets says hello with a handshake, Blacks gives you a bear hug and keys to your own Porsche. Everything in this shop is bigger, better, cheaper, and much more appealing to the non-campers amongst us. Having only recently opened its store in the city centre, it is the prime location to enter the market with a bang. The staff are fresh faced, the store is well thought out, well laid out and well stocked. Everything just looks much fresher and funkier. Millets have (if reports are to be believed) struggled with this old recession but with Blacks as it's older and better brother, there really is very little point in keeping Millets open. We went to a Blacks store in Liverpool and it was better than any Millets stores I had been in before. Thankfully, and luckily for us, the new Blacks store in Belfast is even better than that. Mourne Mountains, here I come.

I'm not really what you could call an outdoorsy type but I do like a spot of camping (no jokes) of…read morea summer so Blacks is what you'd call an essential stop-off point. Recently opened right in the town centre the swanky logo and shop front seems to be keen to put any 'fuddy duddy' images of camping and hiking behind them. The ground floor is split into two areas and there is an amazing amount of outdoors clothing in there. It's actually quite impressive to see all weather gear that doesn't come in black, blue or green. A large selection of women's clothes also hints that this is not your usual Millets-type deal...all the bigger brands like North Face and Berghaus are well represented. Upstairs is the 'hardware' section and again the selection is pretty comprehensive. Loads of tents, sleeping bags, climbing gear and boots plus all the usual kit you'd need to survive on a trip or if the apocalypse comes early. The staff are really nice as well, they gave me ample time to browse unhassled in this great shop. Pros: Great selection. Cons: You either dig being outside or you don't.

Hiking and outdoor clothing suppliers Blacks has just opened a branch in Belfast City Centre. As I…read morewas getting desperate for a new pair of walking boots/shoes I stopped in here to discover they were having a brilliant opening sale full of bargains. Having had a preliminary look and been assured by staff that there would be plenty of stock in my size I decided to come back the following day and found an excellent price reduction -£90 down to £50. Assistance was enthusistically offered but took them a while to find my size, there was some confusion over where things were though one clued up girl knew all along where it was. There is also a range of summer clothes evidently aimed at backpacking holidays as well as weather proof jackets and coats. It's somewhat bland perhaps but still a useful addition to Belfast City Centre.

Camping shops seem to be breeding in Belfast city centre - within five minutes of each other we…read morehave Millets, Tiso, Costwold Outdoor, and now Blacks. 'Tis the weirdest thing... Now, camping / outdoor pursuits and I go together like chalk and cheese. The only time I have been in a tent has been at a Christian Festival at the King's Hall (for five years running, granted), but it wasn't camping in the true sense. We had toilets, electricity and food all available nearby, and there was no requirement for all the heavy duty clothing etc. that comes with camping...thank heavens. As you can gather from the above information, I had no real need to go into Black's, but it looked much more interesting than some of the other camping shops, so I decided to have a look. I was pleasantly surprised to see a rather nice collection of ladies clothing - floral tops, floaty skirts and attractive jeans / trousers were a world away from the dull raincoats and khaki outfits you immediately associate with these kind of stores. They had a fab sale on too, which meant that the already affordable clothes were practically given away - I saw a dress for £9.99, that had been £39.99! Of course, there's still all the average camp store stock - heavy duty coats, fleeces, walking shoes, sleeping bags, tents, camping furniture, rucksacks and so on. But still, those clothes were pretty sweet...

Really love this shop!!!! The staff really know their stuff,…read moreeven the part-time staff are great. So helpful and thet keep a great rannge of stuff for quite a small unit. Good Job!!!

I tend to take a day out every now and then, drive down to Newcastle and spend a few relaxing hours…read morewalking up hills in the Mournes. Just about all of the gear I have - waterproof coats and trousers, gaiters, socks and my beloved Airtrek hiking boots - have been purchased in Millets. At first impression, the stuff you're looking for might seem to be on the pricey side, but you should know that I bought my boots about a decade ago and they're still going strong. Yes, I treat the leather (with a cream purchased in Millets) after every time they are used, but I paid a mere £80 for them a long time ago and they're going to do me for ages yet. In fact, I don't even have to purchase stuff in Millets that often because everything lasts so long; I just find it a pleasant shop to have a nosy around in.

I must sheepishly admit that I didn't even know of the existence of this shop until number one son…read morejoined a cub troop and needed a uniform. So off I set and was amazed to find a large modern shop stocked to the rafters with uniforms for squirrels, beavers, cubs and scouts. They also sell general outdoor and walking equipment, camping gear and wet suits. The majority of the clothes and equipment belong to a world I find quite alien (walking through choice? And not because you have to? What's that all about?) but even I could tell that there is a huge range of sturdy looking coats and boots and back packs. When I went in, I was served quickly and efficiently by a knowledgeable sales assistant and was in and out within minutes with all the stuff I needed. I also made an impulse buy at the till - one of those little hand warmer packets which I tried out on Saturday while watching number two son playing rugby. What a good mummy I am.

From the outside the Scout Shop looks as if it's exclusively for Scouts but in fact it caters more…read morewidely and includes outdoor, walking and ski gear for other age groups too. The prices seem to be pretty reasonable for rucksacks and walking boots at least, those are the items I noticed in particular. Personally I bought some much needed new gum boots, not very citified or cool, but for me essential for country visits! As you would hope to find at a scout shop, there is a satisfactory selection of traditional camping gear such as torches, cooking utensils, bottles of camping gas and enamel dishes which almost inspires me to plan a camping trip, mad as it may seem to some people.

My other half is big into hiking and hill-walking, and was massively excited for the opening of…read morethis superstore! They stock pretty much everything you could possibly need for a large range of outdoor pursuits such as cycling, camping, hiking, horse riding, biking and fishing, to name but a few. They stock equipment such as tents (some of the biggest I've ever seen!) camping cooking equipment, fishing rods, bait, helmets, electrical gadgets etc. They also have a large range of clothing for men, women and children, with brands such as Berghaus, Regatta, North Ridge and Osprey. The store is massive and well laid out into the various different sections, oh and dogs are welcome (bowls of food and water available just as you walk in!)

Friendly staff but the company will rib you off on every item…read more I thought the stuff was expensive when i bought it even tho id bought there discount card for £5 which said would give me a massive discount . When i got home i seen i could buy the same stuff far far cheaper elsewhere. . But when i checked there website it said that if you find the same item cheaper elsewere , they would refund the differance plus an extra 10%. First the online process wouldn't actually work, i emailed the company but they said to use the website ( that id already been using) emailed them again,, every time they kept making stuff to get out of it.. in the end they said they wouldnt honer the agreement because the colour didnt match the one that id bought !! unbelievablely shady service go on here Go Outdoor ..... should be Go Elsewhere as its cheaper

This is a superb shop for all things out doors. I went in looking for a specific size of gas…read morebottle. The sales assistant told me exactly where it should be. I duly went to the location (upstairs) but Al's it wasn't the one I wanted. However saw some amazing equipment and merchandise. Definitely a goto place for outdoor gear!!

Cotswold outdoor is a retailer of outdoor clothing and equipment including footwear, casual…read moreclothing and waterproofs. Similar to the Outdoor Store also on the Boucher Road, it has a great range of products to add to the customer's dilemma of exactly which items they should choose for the job. If you're planning a trek to the great North Pole or a similar camping trip with the family, this store will have all you need from sleeping bags to back packs. If you're a novice with the whole equipment malarkey this shop may send you over the edge with its technical jargon.

I've only been in here twice and both times was with a friend and both times he was the camping…read moreexpert, so my overall experience was hampered somewhat by the fact he knew exactly what he was talking about and then he and the member of staff got into a converstation about the waterproof-ness of a jacket with a hood or something... I nodded along and laughed when he laughed. It was the most useless I'd ever felt. But that is not to say Tiso isn't a good store. Far from it. The staff are incredibly knowedgable, the store, though a bit clumsily laid out, is well stocked and the place is tidy. However, I can't really phathom the prices in shops like these, with waterproof jackets costing £50 when you can get one in Dunnes or Primark for a tenner. The people who like this sort of shop, LOVE it. But for me, alot of the stuff in here seems a bit unneccessary and if you have to spend that much to get you ready to go camping, why not book a holiday to Cyprus in the first place? Overall, it's your run-of-the-mill camping shop, complete with jackets, tents, bags, shoes etc Everything you need to go camping. But if you aren't planning to be at one with nature for a couple of days, I can't really see the point of this shop.

I have a campervan and with that comes the need to stock up on all things camp related. I have…read morepurchased smaller than normal pots and pans, reflective stickers and packs that heat up in your hand when you break the little metal disc inside. My first real memory of Tiso was from about 9 years ago when I was jetting off on an around the world trip and my partners in crime and i needed backpacks. On the top floor, three floors of steep steps up there is the holy grail of backpacks and tents and roll up mats! It was a godsend and we managed to get all we needed for good value prices. I am always in Tiso at Christmas time as they do the best quality winter wear such as padded gloves and scarf/bandana/hat/facemask things in town. Usually at least one Cristmas present comes from here as well. Great informed staff and a well packed shop. The stairs are a killer though but the local artwork and calanders of Norn Iron should keep you amused as you ascend.

Mountain Trail may not catch your attention and drag you in off Holywood High Street but once…read moreinside it has a certain charm. From the moment you enter you feel like you have been transported back in time. Not because the products are dates, because they certainly aren't, but because of the old fashioned customer service on offer from the shopkeeper. A bell rings when you swing the door open and up jumps the friendly proprietor to greet you and ask can he help. From the moment I entered I felt at home and ended up chatting for half an hour. The shop itself sells a whole range of outdoor activity accessories and bikes. They have everything from racing bikes, mountain bikes to an old school BMX that I had my eye on. I was in the shop to look at the outdoor coats and I was expertly guided through the range. If you are an outdoor enthusiast I would highly recommend paying mountain trail a visit.

Mountain Trail has, more or less, all the same products as Tiso except it can be cheaper and you…read moredon't have to slug it all the way to Belfast. I have used the shop twice - the first time to buy a warm water proof fleece for the long Saturday afternoon rugby matches at Ravenhill - I got a regatta in pink for under £40 - a bargain I felt. The second time I used this shop was to buy little heat pads that you hold in your hand, break the metal disc and they heat up - you can put them in your socks to keep your feet warm or in your pockets for your hands - again I managed to get these cheaper than in other outdoor stores. Both experiences have been fine - I have got what I needed and been helped by a nice man who was full of information and advice. I also love the noticeboard outside that tells of local events and charity ventures one can take part in to do with the great outdoors - a great place to check if you fancy an adventure!

Matthew has proven to be very patient, knowledgeable & considerate. Would highly recommend him &…read morehis shop for quality, service & value. 5*

My friends and I are big into skiing and snow boarding and last March we were booking our trip away…read moreto Italy. It dawned on me that our gear had been tucked away for over a year and was probably in a sorry state. I headed into the roof space and opened our skiing stuff - it was looking old and shabby and the boards needed a wax and edging. Now, we live in a little town and I didn't think for a minute there would be anywhere to help. I asked a few friends and someone told me about a ski and surf shop in Comber, an even smaller little town just outside Newtownards town center. I could barely believe it and went to find out. The parking outside this tardis of a shop is rubbish so you will have to park somewhere nearby and walk. The shop itself is bigger than I expected and stocks a healthy mixture of wetsuits, flippers, diving gear as well as bobble hats, ski masks, jackets and snow boards - in all honestly I was pleasantly surprised and massively happy to have found somewhere so handy for our favourite hobbies. The staff were so nice, we chatted for ages about ski resorts, the best places to body board, good brands for gear and places not to go when skiing. They were delightful and so I happily left the board to be edged and waxed with these lovely people. They called me two days later to collect it and was very happy with the job and the price. A gem of a shop in a really unexpected place.